Studying

This is a belated blog as it features the event of last week and the beginning of this.

I had an examination this Monday - a Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis, which counts towards a Diploma in Business Analysis. As a result, I was studying for probably the first time in over four years, and taking my first examination since the summer of 2006. The Thursday and Friday of the previous week were granted to me as study leave.

Unusually, the topic was one which was increasingly interesting to me. It was focused on my work, and instead of being quite dull - as may be imagined - to me it was filled with interesting techniques, strategies and approaches which could be used. It definitely helped provide me with some interesting ideas for how to approach work in the future, and I hope to have the opportunity to use some of it going forward! I find out in a fortnight whether I have passed the exam or not, but I would expect to be okay on that front.

Third Version

Usually I tire of bands by around the third album, as it fades ever away from what I'd prefer to listen to. This is especially true nowadays, when it seems rarer and rarer for bands to have smaller albums pre-breakthrough as they may well have done even 10-15 years ago.

However, I'm delighted that Maximo Park's Quicken The Heart is so far breaking the mould. I must thank Mike for reminding me that it was out, and I got this for Christmas. I got around to listening to it at the beginning part of last week and it's fast becoming one of my most played albums.

I always have had an inate fondness for Maximo Park. I enjoy their combination of creative melodies and fantastic lyrics. They use good words in their songwriting, and while nothing will probably compare with the fabulous use of both 'Detritus gathers' and 'lacerate' in The Unshockable from their first album, some of their most recent offerings come close.

My favourite efforts were in Wraithless using the phrase "raison d'etre", while The Penultimate Clinch uses not only the fantastic word in the title, but also amusingly contains the phrase "I've got a bee in my bonnet" - something you just do not hear in songs enough.

Good work all round.

Stand By Your Principles

I've always thought that the most important thing is to stand by what you believe. To stand up for what is right and not to shy away from it.

At the moment I'm not thinking of burning my bridges - which is folly. However, I am planning to much more vigorously reiterate what is right and my view as to how things should work. Standing idly by and complaining about how things don't improve is no defense if you don't also work for that same improvement. It is impossible to plead that you are not listened to if you do not speak.

We will see what happens.

Twenty Eleven

I have lapsed out of the blogging routine, which should be fairly clear to all. Since my last post, we have entered a new year, perhaps a notable event.

I'm never particularly overwhelmed with ambitions for a New Year. I try and set myself aims and goals all the time, whether or not they are particularly ambitious! In fact, having discussed this with a colleague over the weekend, I am disappointed that there has been no questioning on New Year's Resolutions. I had prepared specifically for this by preparing false resolutions on opposite ends of the scale; ludicrously simple and preposterously ambitious.

I urge you all to follow this theme.

One Out Of Three

This week is a shortened week, with only three days of work. Three days is not precisely accurate - more accurate is 2.625 as New Year's Eve the required work time is only five hours, as we finish at 3pm (or 2pm if you start on the earlier shift).

Having completed one, it is an utter waste of time and I managed to get so little actually done today it is shocking. Barely anyone is in, those who are in aren't that motivated or fussed and it is quite clear that the entire purpose of the day is to do rather little.

I did get some things accomplished. I think this put me far ahead of anyone else. Only 1.625 days remaining in the week!

Pre-Christmas Countdown

So it is four days until Christmas, today being both the shortest day of the year and the Winter Solstice - all good facts.

The snow that has been around for a few days is now starting to abate, and walking around seems a little easier. Transport was running better today, although I will miss my far more convenient snow-adjusted timetable as we return to normal tomorrow. However, I am not missing the benefits of the buses, after walking both in and back to the station yesterday and finding the sitting down approach far easier.

Among other events that have happened since my last blog, I've done my Christmas shopping - successful, attended the work Christmas do - entertaining, and also met up with people - enjoyable.

The Christmas party was fairly standard for work Christmas events - we had a private area of a club/bar in Clapham. It wasn't bad, although the food was overhyped and the music was pretty mediocre - even by club standards. I stayed late with a couple of others as I was sleeping on a generously lent sofa nearby. This meant I returned in the midst of the snow on Saturday, but it wasn't too hard getting home.

Last night - what with Mark and Sophie back down south - I headed to meet them and others who also put in appearance after work, which was an enjoyable evening of talking, entertainment and randomness! It was good to see people again, although some I have naturally seen rather more recently than others. Possibly other social things will take place this week what with people being more around, but as I'm working all week I may not be partaking in them quite so much as I would like!

Unexpected Pub Trip

So having announced that I had absolutely nothing planned for today and that my sole plan - if that - was to return home and do some Christmas shopping online, plans suddenly developed!

I ended up going into London for drinks with work and former work people. It was a good idea and an enjoyable evening and the joy of doing this next to Waterloo is that it's very easy for me to get home from. It took me a little over 45 minutes to get from the pub to my home, which is definitely pleasing.

Besides the return journey, which was admittedly not the highlight, it was an enjoyable evening and good to catch up with people. Person is more accurate than people, considering that there were only three of us total in attendence, illness, laziness and compulsive working claiming the other possible attendees. However, that does not detract from the fact that it was still an enjoyable way to spend an evening.

Not Faking

Today was a pretty busy day at work, although as I look back I can't actually think of anything specific that I either did or accomplished.

However, it was considerably more satisfying than the usual. Someone towards the end of the day noted that I'd been running around a fair bit today and wondered what was going on. I'd said that it was a few things coming together at once - but what a joy it was to actually have things to do and fill the day without having to go through the tedious rigmarole of feigning busy activity for an entire day simply because you don't have much to do!